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Editor’s Note: This series on the hows, whys and whens of U.S. conversion to digital television in 2009 will run monthly in The Abington Journal throughout the digital transition on February 17, 2009.
ABINGTONS – Purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box might be on your calendar between now and February 2009. And a variety of resources are available online, by phone or in person to investigate the details.
According to the Federal Communications Commission’s Web site, www.fcc.gov, “Congress mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting, also known as the digital television (DTV) transition, because all-digital broadcasting will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue). Also, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams (multicasting). In addition, some of the freed up frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers.”
The FCC’s Web site also listed that “after February 17, 2009, you will be able to receive and view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be able to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Eligible converter boxes are for the conversion of over-the-air digital television signals, and therefore are not intended for analog TVs connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service.”
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the coupon program.
These coupons will expire 90 days after mailing. For more information, visit the NTIA Web site at www.dtv2009.gov. The Commission’s DTV Web site, www.dtv.gov, also provides information for consumers on the upcoming digital-to-analog converter box coupon program.
The Department of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, a Federal government agency in charge of administering the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, runs the Web site www.dtv2009.gov. More information on the NTIA can be found at www.ntia.doc.gov.
The Department of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration states that certified retailers are listed on the Web site www.dtv2009.gov. “Consumers will also receive a list of nearby participating retailers—as well as online and telephone retailers—when they receive their coupons,” according to the Web site.
The current National retailers selling converter boxes, according to www.dtv2009.gov, include: Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart
Locate participating national retailers by completing the form on www.dtv2009.gov.
Converter boxes can also be purchased online or by telephone and can be shipped directly to your home.
Online Retailers include: A1activations at www.a1activations.com, All American Direct at www.allamericandirect.com, Amazon at www.amazon.com, Antennas Direct at www.antennasdirect.com, Broadband Solution’s BSAT e-shop at http://dtv.bsat.net and Bruce’s Antenna Systems at www.watchdigitaltv.com. For a full list visit www.dtv2009.gov.
Telephone Retailers include: A1activations at 800-670-0388, All American Direct at 1-800-249-1063, Best Buy DTV Hotline and Order Center at 1-877-BBY-DTV9 (1-877-229-3889), Circuit City at 888-280-9382 and DISH Network at 888-638-9912.
The Web site www.dtv2009.gov lists that “TV converter boxes usually cost between $40 and $70. Each U.S. household may request up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of converter boxes. After applying the coupon, participating retailers will charge consumers the remaining balance.”
Coupons for converter boxes “must meet technical and performance standards determined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in order to qualify for the Coupon Program,” according to www.dtv2009.gov. A list of eligible make and model numbers for purchase with the coupon can be found by visiting www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm.
To find out more about the digital transition, the following Web sites can be visited: Private sector – Digital TV transition www.dtvtransition.org administered by the DTV Transition Coalition; Government – Digital TV transition www.dtv.gov administered by the Federal Communications Commission; Retailer participation – www.ntiadtv.gov administered by NTIA for retailers; Consumer electronics industry – Tips for consumers on navigating the digital transition at www.DigitalTips.org and Broadcasters and Consumer electronics industry – Tips for enhancing antenna reception at www.antennaweb.org.
Also available to answer questions or take coupon requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are operators at 1-888-DTV-2009.
Locations in the Abingtons where converter boxes are available for purchase, according to www.dtv2009.gov:
Radioshack, www.radioshack.com, Abington Shopping Ctr,1000 S State St., Clarks Summit, 586-0666
Rite Aid Pharmacy, www.riteaid.com1050, Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 587-4508
Rite Aid Pharmacy, www.riteaid.com76, Viewmont Mall Scranton, 346-8500
Radioshack, www.radioshack.com
, Viewmont Mall, 100 Viewmont Mall, Scranton, 348-1731
Kmart, www.kmart.com, 1011 Scranton Carbondale Highway, 489-7591
Circuit City, www.circuitcity.com, 620 Commerce Blvd., Dickson City, 344-0353
Sam’s Club, www.walmart.com, 921 Viewmont Dr., Scranton, 347-4847
Best Buy, www.bestbuy.com, 959 Viewmont Dr., Dickson City, 346-8977
Target, www.target.com, 1140 Commerce Blvd., Dickson City, 440-0680
Rite Aid Pharmacy, www.riteaid.com, 1770 North Keyser Street, Scranton, 346-2087